Minutes-Village of Grand Manan-Regular Council Meeting-07/08/13 Cont’d
Village of Grand Manan
Regular Council Meeting
Grand Manan Boys & Girls Club
August 13, 2007 – 7:30 pm
Calling to Order:
Mayor Greene called this meeting to order at 7:30pm.
Attendance:
Mayor Dennis Greene, Deputy Mayor Robert Moses, Councillors Philman Green, Peter Wilcox, Darcy Russell, Michael O’Neill, Wayne Sturgeon, Sherman Ross, Acting Chief Administrative Officer Jeanne Moses, Acting Clerk Natalie Pennell, Treasurer Raima Green, Corp Dave Macintyre, Cst Mitch King , Pastor Ron Ford, Cathy O’Neil, Ashley McLaughlin, 3 GMTV Workers, 11 members of the public.
Prayer:
Pastor Ron Ford offered prayer over Council and this meeting.
Opening Remarks:
Mayor Dennis Greene opened the meeting by commenting on Pastors Fords work that was mentioned in the paper.
July 28 – Aug 4 was a busy week; the staff started moving the Village Office from Grand Harbour to North Head. This was accomplished by staff and some hired helpers. Also going on that week was The Rotary Festival and The Wood Island Reunion. Congratulations to the Rotary Festival on another successful year. Also congratulations to the organizers of the Wood Island Reunion on a great event there.
During Rotary Days Eric Allaby was the recipient of a New Brunswick Merit Award; this was a well deserved award. Also going on that weekend was the grand Opening of the Skateboard Park. Councillor Sherman Ross was there to cut the ribbon. Mayor Greene congratulated the winners of the skateboard competition. He also mentioned that the kids thought that it was the best day ever, but Mayor Greene asks that the kids using the skateboard park remember to abide by the rules.
During the month of July extensive work was done on the tennis court; Mayor Greene has heard favourable comments.
Mayor Greene would also like to remind people to be respectful of property when using ATV’s.
In Saturday’s telegram Pastor Ford and the new doctors were mentioned favourably.
Please remember to keep Councillor Daggett and Linda Sullivan Brown in prayer.
Disclosure of Conflict of Interest:
No disclosures at this time.
Adoption of Minutes:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Deputy Mayor Moses to accept the minutes of June 11, 2007, July 9, 2007 and July 16, 2007 with the correction noted.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-185
Additions to Agenda:
Moved by Councillor Sturgeon, seconded by Councillor Wilcox to add item 18.1,2 to the agenda.
Motion Unanimously Carries 07-186
RCMP Report:
Corporal Dave MacIntyre read from the Report for July 2007. He also informed Council that he will be leaving this Saturday and his replacement will be here by the end of August. Mayor Greene thanked him for volunteering his time to come in and wished him all the best. Mayor Greene also extended a welcome to Constable Mitch King.
Business Arising From Minutes:
Infrastructure Project –
Council needs to make a resolution to set up a reserve fund pending our approval of MRIF funding for the purpose of replacement items, ie roof, gym equipment and such things that depreciate and have to be replaced.
Councillor Ross explained that we have to agree to this before they will give us the money.
Moved by Councillor Sherman Ross, seconded by Councillor Wayne Sturgeon “That pending the approval of MRIF funding The Village will create a Reserve Fund for the purpose of replacement items such as roof, doors, windows, lighting etc, with an annual amount of $10,000.00 per year.”
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-187
Old Business:
Tax Rebates for Seniors-
Councillor Sturgeon has submitted a brief explanation of what the province plans to propose concerning the tax rebate for seniors.
Councillor Sturgeon briefed Council on what happened at the UMNB Zone 4 meeting.
Deputy Mayor Moses had some concerns that this will have a negative effect on people moving to Grand Manan, we need people to move here and we do not want to drive new residents away.
In regards to the tax rebate, tax rates are provincial jurisdiction and rebates are already available to fixed income families, if occupants are approved.
Councillor Sturgeon states that all municipalities can opt in or out.
Councillor Green is worried about rising assessments. If we spend money has to come from somewhere so taxes go up.
Moved by Councillor Sturgeon, seconded by Councillor Russell to present to the UMNB Zone 4 for review the following resolution “Be it proposed that the province allow Municipalities to issue rebates to seniors to help them cope with the increasing property assessments of their non improved homes.”
Motion Defeated
No Votes: Deputy Mayor Moses, Councillors Philman Green, Peter Wilcox, and Sherman Ross.
Yes Votes: Councillors Darcy Russell, Wayne Sturgeon, and Michael O’Neill
Ten Minute Open Session:
Children representing the Skateboard Park came to the meeting to thank the community for the Skateboard Park. They also wanted to thank Council and Raima and let them know that they are having a good time using the park. The children then presented Mayor Greene with a signed picture as a token of their gratitude.
Councillor Russell wanted to thank Councillor Ross for all the work that he has done on the Recreation Committee.
A representative from the Grand Manan Animal Welfare League wanted to thank everyone on the Island for all the donations made to the animal rescue and that they hope to get the building to rent.
Delegations and/or Special Speakers:
Cathy O’Neil would like to address Council concerning the Swimming Pool By-Law. She also would like to address council on the by law concerning having a piggery. Cathy O’Neil read the by-law concerning the swimming pools to open up her discussion. She also mentioned that Insurance companies require that the pools have to be fenced in and locked and by not enforcing our by laws it makes this very difficult for the insurance companies.
Cathy is concerned with the lack of knowledge of by-laws in regards to swimming pools. She would like to see some type of structure and consistency to enforce these by laws.
Cathy thanked council for there time and consideration.
Moved by Councillor Sturgeon, seconded by Councillor Russell to look into creating the position of a by law enforcement officer.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-188
Moved by Deputy Mayor Moses, seconded by Councillor O’Neill to have staff research similar by laws.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-189
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor O’Neill to move item 13.7 to 11.2 to accommodate the members of the public.
Motion unanimously Carried 07-190
Grand Manan Animal Welfare League:
The Grand Manan Animal Welfare League has sent a letter requesting that Council consider allowing them to rent the old Village Office building for a nominal fee. Mayor Greene read letter. Ashley McLaughlin from the Animal Welfare League to address.
Councillor Sturgeon addressed his concerns with keeping the building clean and what there plans are to ensure this?
Ashley informed Council that volunteers would clean up the building; and the cats would be kept there only until they were adopted.
Councillor O’Neill reminded Council that this is where we keep all our files and records for storage.
Councillor Ross stated that Council just can not give the building to the first ones who ask, there have been other s that have approached him about the building. He thought that they would have more time before leasing the building, we just moved two weeks ago.
Moved by Councillor Russell, seconded by Deputy Mayor Moses to table item until next month so that staff can gather more information.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-191
Correspondence:
Grand Manan Community Programs-
Anita Fiander, the new coordinator for CARS has sent Council a letter giving them an update of what she has been doing since starting her position in June, she has also asked that if anyone has any ideas or feed back to contact her and let her know.
Fireworks on Private Property-
Byron Green from the Department of Natural Resources has sent council a memo regarding the legalities and safety practices of igniting fireworks on private property. After researching who is responsible for enforcing this he has found that the Fire Marshall and the RCMP are responsible, although they only have control over the use of fire works if they start a fire and then they can lay charges for starting a fire.
Moved by Councillor Ross, seconded by Councillor Russell to advertise on Community Channel that if you use fireworks on your own property that you are responsible for ensuring that they are safety ignited and can be fined if a fire starts.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-192
Thank you from Felicia Huckins-
Felicia Huckins has sent council a Thank You card, expressing her gratitude for awarding her with the citizenship bursary.
Communities in Bloom-
Council has received a letter from Metro Moncton formally inviting Council and Staff to attend this year’s Communities in Bloom National Symposium on Parks & Grounds and Awards ceremonies from September 19 to 22.
School Zone-
The Department of Maintenance and Traffic Control has responded to our letter concerning changes to Route 776 near the school in Grand Harbour. After an assessment of the area they have concluded that the current posted speed limit of 50km/h is most appropriate for this road and, therefore, a reduction in the posted speed limit cannot be recommended. Flashing beacons (flashing lights) are not installed on School Zone signs within the provincial highway network and cannot be recommended at this location. As an added enhancement, however, the Department will arrange to install oversized School Zone signs.
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Wilcox to have a meeting with those involved with the crosswalk issue, such as the School, PSSC and the Dollar Store.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-193
Firefighting on Grand Manan-
The department of Natural Resources has responded to our letter regarding Forest fires on Grand Manan. All firefighters working under the direction of DNR are required to successfully complete the DNR Emergency Fire Fighter course and wear approved protective equipment. Byron Green will therefore be trained to the level of instructor for the Emergency Fire Fighter course and in turn will be given the time to work with the firefights on Grand Manan to ensure that they are trained.
The New Brunswick Provincial Capital Commission-
On March 1, 2007 the government of Premier Shawn Graham established the New Brunswick Provincial Capital Commission. Its role is to foster a sense of pride and ownership in the Capital, and to raise awareness of the capital region’s unique character, history, and beauty, and its significance to New Brunswickers. As the NBPCC evolves and develops, they would like to meet with Council to discuss the direction of the Commission, and to obtain advice on how they can be as reflective and inclusive as possible for all New Brunswickers.
New Business:
Request for Street Light-
Dutchman Contracting has contacted the Village requesting that they provide a street light on the Hydro pole which is adjacent to the newly constructed building for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 979 Route 776.
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Russell to contact NB Power to install a street light on that road.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-194
Customs Officer-
Mayor Greene will update. The fisherman of Grand Manan needs a customs officer to qualify for rebate. We have an unprotected border. There has been a successful candidate for the job In Grand Manan. They have to go through training in Quebec starting in November. It will be a part time position, 20 hours per week.
Building Permits-
Mayor Greene would like Council to consider putting forth a letter to The Department of Health and The Department of Environment voicing concerns over the fact that the Department of Health is issuing permits for septic tanks on Water Course, Wetland and Marsh lands areas.
Moved by Councillor Wilcox, seconded by Councillor O’Neill to send a letter off to the Department of Health and the Department of Environment to get on the same standards of issuing permits.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-195
Development Officer-
Council needs to appoint Brian Ingalls as Development Officer, on his acceptance of the position.
Moved by Councillor O’Neill, seconded by Deputy Mayor Moses to appoint Brian Ingalls as Development Officer.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-196
South West Head Light House-
Council has been asked to write a letter to the Minister responsible for the South West Head Light House concerning the property condition.
Moved by Councillor O’Neill, seconded by Councillor Russell to send a letter to the minister in charge, to express our concerns of the unsightly property. CC to Greg Thompson and Ralph Hartlen.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-197
Five Year Plan-
The Department of Transportation is now preparing to compile its regular Program for improvements to provincially designated highways within municipalities for the 2008 construction season. They are requesting that each municipality carefully review its requirements and submit an updated Five Year Program no later than September 14, 2007.
Moved by Deputy Mayor Moses, seconded by Councillor O’Neill to adjust the five year plan and have the number one priority as Long Bank and keep the rest of the five year plan the same.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-198
Disposal of Waterlot, Dark Harbour-
Public Works and Government Services Canada has sent a letter regarding the Waterlot located at Dark Harbour. They are wondering if The Village has any interest in purchasing the land, a reply must be made within 30 days from August 2, 2007.
Moved by Councillor O’Neill, seconded by Councillor Wilcox to have a meeting about this to discuss further and to write a letter to Jan Robar to set up a meeting with her to find out more details.
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-199
Approval to Pay the Following Invoices:
Moved by Councillor O’Neill, seconded by Deputy Mayor Moses to pay the following invoices:
MG Fisheries Chlorine & Supplies $2,894.51
Home Hardware Recreation & Pool $2,748.18
Park Place Carpentry Ltd Doctors House $10,117.50
ADI Professional Services $4,691.10
Maritime Pavement Markings Highway Striping $17,321.00
Motion Unanimously Carried 07-200
Additional Items for Agenda:
Dollar Store-
To be further discussed at the meeting that is being set up concerning the cross walk.
Raccoon Issue-
Mayor Greene to address. An abandon house on Poodle Alley has become the home to a number of raccoons. The department of Health has come down to look at the property. All they can do is give then their shots and release them back to the same location as where they were trapped. Mayor Greene has also called our Lawyer Joel Hanson to ensure that we have done due diligence. Joel said to make sure that the Village calls the minister of environment. Mayor Greene called the minister and left a message explaining the situation. The next day he received a phone call from Kirk Gordon of environment letting us know that that the minister is aware of the problem and it usually takes a couple of years but the minister has moved it to the top of their priority list.